Belmont man Bruno Mete allegedly sets fire to block of units

A Belmont man allegedly told a neighbour he was going to “burn the place down” before he set a block of units on fire.

Bruno Mete allegedly told his neighbour he was going to "set the place on fire" before his unit was engulfed in flames. Picture: Facebook.

A Belmont man who allegedly set fire to a block of units warned his neighbours to grab the essentials and escape the blaze.

One neighbour said Bruno Mete allegedly knocked on his door in October this year and told him to “grab whatever essentials you have, I’m going to burn the place down”.

Mr Mete allegedly told the neighbour he had found black mould in his own apartment and he was “going to protect you”.

He was granted bail from the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Friday and will return to face the arson charges at a later date.

The neighbour alleged Mr Mete went to his car to collect a fuel can, a tealight candle and a lighter before returning to his unit.

Bruno Mete's lawyer said he was having an "emotional breakdown" at the time he allegedly set a block of units on fire. Picture: Facebook.

Once he allegedly placed the lit candle on his loungeroom floor, flames immediately ignited and engulfed the unit.

Mr Mete then allegedly went to a second neighbour and told them to leave and get their family out.

The court heard a pregnant woman and a young child lived in the block of units.

Police found Mr Mete nearby allegedly attempting to “tip what smelt like petrol down a stormwater drain”.

Mr Mete was “erratic” and unable to be interviewed at the time.

During his bail hearing, defence lawyer Miranda Ball said Mr Mete had been “suffering an emotional breakdown” at the time due to a separation from his partner of seven years.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie heard evidence from the partner and was satisfied Mr Mete being bailed to his address reduced the risk of reoffending.

Originally published as Belmont man Bruno Mete allegedly sets fire to block of units